10 Christmas Books for Kids 

Eleven-year-old Juniper Lane has always suspected the woodsman living in her local park is Santa himself. Her suspicions are confirmed when she seeks his help one night and accidentally gets exposed to North Pole magic. 

Suddenly, Juniper is swept up in a Christmas adventure featuring a young reindeer in training, a neighbor who always believed in Santa, and a crime boss with plans to steal Santa’s magic—but not if Juniper can help it. 

The closer Christmas gets, the more the excitement grows, and the last week of waiting can feel never-ending for kids. No book gets that better than 5 Sleeps Til Christmas. Count down to one of the most fun days of the year with the the humor of Jimmy Fallon and the illustrations of Rich Deas.

For all the books, movies, and TV shows about Santa Claus out there, few feature him as anything other than an adult. From the author of The Wizard of Oz comes this 1902 children’s book about the life of Santa Claus, starting with his discovery in the Forest of Burzee by a mage when he was a baby and growing with him into adulthood. 

Like an early Santa Claus is Coming to Town, this adorable classic takes kids through the (fictitious) origins of cherished Christmas traditions, from hanging stockings to lighting Christmas trees to exchanging toys. 

Ruthie loves the new pajamas she got for Hanukkah—so much that she refuses to take them off for all eight nights! Even after they get stained. And splattered. And smudged…

Ruthie is determined to show her parents she can keep her pajamas spotless, but as the days of Hanukkah go on, it looks like this holiday might get a little messy!

A Christmas classic, this illustrated version of the story by Susan Jeffers takes kids on an extraordinary Christmas Eve adventure through the Land of Sweets. Together with young Marie, her brother Fritz, and the Nutcracker himself, readers journey through the magical Land of Sweets, where they encounter the dreadful Mouse King, dazzling Sugar Plum fairies, and more. 

Whether reading The Nutcracker as a child or adult, it’s not hard to see why this holiday staple has endured for so many years. 

It’s two weeks before Christmas, and as the snow falls outside, everyone is excited to huddle up in doors. But what about one very special stray dog, who has nowhere to go? Lucky for her, the door of one house is left open a crack—just enough for her to make her way inside! 

Will the family she has found send her back out into the snow? Or has she finally found a forever home! This heartwarming holiday tale is based on the true story of the author and her family’s adorable experience with their own pet. 

Everyone who grew up celebrating Christmas has read this classic tale that unfolds on the highly-anticipated night before Christmas. Watch kids’ eyes light up as they discover the poetic magic of stockings hung by the chimney with care and sugar plums dancing for the first time. 

Though not explicitly about Christmas, Mixed Rice delves into the kinds of questions come up around the holidays, such as whose traditions to follow. In Joya’s multi-racial Asian family, a question as simple as which rice—gohan or basmati—to cook for dinner one night sparks a spirited debate between her parents as they both seek to connect to their respective cultures. It’s up to Joya, caught in the middle of these cultures, to come up with a way to bridge the gap between them.

Mixed Rice is a heartwarming story that will allow readers of any age and background to appreciate the value of compromise and cultural diversity. 

One natural phenomenon is more associated with Christmas than any other, and that’s snow. But where does snow come from, and how does it come to be in our water cycle? 

This zany yet educational story that follows the adventures of two raindrops as they move through the water cycle, offering a great opportunity to teach your children about the origin of one of the most exciting parts of Christmas. 

Though not a book about Christmas, this fabulously illustrated tale makes a wonderful Christmas gift for kids. The Most Boring Book Ever takes readers on a not-so-boring journey filled with dragons and air pirates, all while encouraging readers to develop their own imaginations as well.